Device for removing and replacing fluorescent lamps



y 1960 c. F. YAWMAN, JR., ETAL 2,946,615

DEVICE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING FLUORESCENT LAMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTORS. v CHARLES E mummy ROBERT L. STANGENBERG ATTORNEY July 26, 1960 c. F. YAWMAN, JR., ETAL 2,946,615

DEVICE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING FLUORESCENT LAMPS Filed Dec. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WIZIIII IN V EN TOR-9 CHARLES F. YAWMAN JR. ROBERT L. STANGENBERG DEVICE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING FLUORESCENT LAMPS Charles F. Yawman, Jr., 921 E. G St., Ontario, Calif., 23nd Robert L. Stangenberg, 1650 Vejar St., Pomona,

Filed Dec. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 705,308

5 Claims. (Cl. 294-40) burned out tubes removed and replaced by new tubes.

Specifically, the present invention relates to devices for removing and installing fluorescent light tubes of the one pin type wherein at least one end of the light holder is provided with a spring loaded contact so that the end of the light tube may be inserted and force applied to compress the spring to align the opposite end of the tube and upon release of such force such end of the tube will be urged into intimate contact with the light holder.

Heretofore, in order to replace a burned out tube, it has been necessary that a person climb a ladder carrying a replacement tube,- perch precariously on such ladder while removing the burned outtube, install the replacement tube, then climb down the ladder carrying the burned out tube. This procedure, has proved dangerous and sometimes almostimpossiblegwhere fixtures are located inaccessibly. j

It is an object of theinvention to overcome the ditfi culties enumerated and to provide an appliance by which burned out fluorescent lamps, including those located in inaccessible places, may be easily, quickly and safely removed and replaced.- 1

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the front of a device embodying one application of the invention and illustrating the use thereof;

'Fig. 2, a fragmentary perspective of the rear of the device;

Fig. 3, an end elevation;

Fig. 4, an enlarged detail of the operating sleeve;

Fig. 5, an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6, an enlarged vertical section of the lamp mounting with the lamp about to be removed.

Briefly stated the invention is a device for applying and removing fluorescent lamps from fixtures having an axially movable spring member at one or both ends of the lamp to allow depression in order that the lamp may be moved endwise in applying and removing the same. The device comprises a relatively long handle across the upper end of which is mounted a two-part substantially cylindrical lamp-engaging structure, one part being fixed to the handle and the other part being movable relative to the handle and its associated part so that it can be swung open to allow the device to be inserted about a tubular fluorescent lamp. The movable part of the twopart lamp receiving cylinder normally is urged towards open position by means of a spring and an operating arm is attached to such movable section and is provided with a spring and a cable by which tension can be applied to close such movable portion of the lamp-holding cylinder.

nited States Pate 0 On the fixed part of the lamp-receiving cylinder is pivotally mounted a transversebracket in the upper and lower ends of which are disposed the inner ends of operating rods which extend outwardly beyond the ends of the lamp receiving cylinder for. engaging the lamp fixture and forcing the lamp endwiseso that it may be removed. An arm is attached to the center of the transverse bracket and an extension of the operating cable is connected to a plate 11 of sheet metal or the like attached to its upper extremity by screws 12. The upper edge of the plate 11 is curved upwardly. and outwardly and is attached to correspondingly curved laterally. extending piano hinge 13 by rivets or the like. One flange of the hinge C13 is fastened to a jaw 14 which remains in a fixed position and the other flange of. the hinge 13 is fastened to a jaw 15 which is movable about the hinge pin.

A cushioning layer of sponge rubber or the like 16 is bonded or otherwise applied to the inside of the lampgripping portions or jaws '14 and 15 and are adapted to snugly engagea fluorescent lamp 17. The jaws normally are held in open position by a spring 18, one end of which is attached to the movable jaw 15 by a screw or pin 19 and the opposite end is secured to the handle 10 by one of the screws 12.

In order to overcome the tension of spring 18 and close the jaws around the lamp 17, .the movable jaw 15 is provided with a curved lever arm 20 attached thereto by screws, rivets or the like and having at its opposite end an opening for the reception of onefend of a spring 21,

. Guides 2 4- are attached at intervals along the handle to maintain the cable 23 close to the handle 10. A-

' handle or gripping portion-25 is provided at the lower end ofthefcable so that thelatter may easily be pulled down in order to close the'jaws1 4. and 15 around the' lamp;

The operating cable may be provided with an enlarge-v ment such as a clamp 26a short distance ,abovethe cable handle 25 for insertion between a pair of spring fingers 27 formed inthe upper edge of a plate 28 aflixed to a sleeve 29 by screws 30 or other fastening means, such sleevebeing slidable on the handle 10. The clamp 26 is located .on the cable in such a position that when it is pulled down and engaged beneath the spring fingers the downward pull onithe spring 21 and the curved lever arm 20 will overcome the tension of spring 18 and the jaws will be closed. The handle 10 is provided with opposed slots 31 on opposite sides thereof for the reception of a bolt 01' pin 32. The sleeve 29 normally is maintained in axial position toward the jaws by a spring 33 having one end attached to the bolt 32 and the other end bent to form a hook and caught in an opening 34 in the handle 10. a

In order to remove the fluorescent lamp tube, it is necessary to move the lamp axially against the spring pressure of the lamp holder and to accomplish this the sleeve 29 may be moved downwardly against the tension of springs 21 and 33. For such purpose a relatively short auxiliary cable 35 is provided which has its lower end attached to the loop 22 and its upper end connected to" an opening 36 in a pivotally mounted T-shaped member or transverse bracket 37. A pivot 38 is provided centrally of the cross bar portion and the ends of the cross bar portion may have openings through which the right anguw Patented July 26, 196.0

lar portions 39 of push rods or operating rods 40 is pivotally attached. Guide members 41 are pivoted adjacent the outer ends of the fixed jaw 14 for the reception of the rods 40. The extremities 42 of the push rods 40 outwardly of the guide members 41 have right angular por tions with a generally semi-circular curvature in the plane of the end of the jaws 14 and 15. The T-shaped member 37 is normally held with the head of the T across the jaws or in retracted position against a stop 43 by a spring 44' which has one end attached to the upper end of the cross bar portion and the other end attached by a screw 45 or the like to the fixed jaw 14.

In operation the jaws 14 and 15 are placed around a fluorescent lamp 17 located in a fixture and the cable 23 pulled to close the jaws around and clamp the lamp there-' between. The cable lug 26 may then be inserted between the spring fingers 27 to hold the jaws in closed position. The sleeve 29 is then urged downwardly and the spring 21 expanded pressing the movable jaw 15 against the lamp and simultaneously the T-shaped member is pivoted to extend the ends 42 of the push rods 40 beyond the ends of the jaws to exert an axial force and move the lamp endwise to disengage one end thereof. One end of the lamp is then free and may then be lowered and the lamp moved in the opposite direction to disengage its other end. A new lamp may be installed merely by reversing the procedure.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is notlimited by that which is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A lamp changer for a fluorescent lamp or the spring loaded type comprising an elongated handle, pivotally connected fixed and movable jaws mounted crosswise on one end portion of said handle, cushioning means within said jaws, a lever extending? downwardly and rearwardly from said movable jaw, spring means connected to the free endof said lever, an operating cable attached to said spring means whereby a downward pull on said operating cable will move said movable jaw toward said fixed jaw and engage said lamp, a sleeve slidably mounted on said handle and having a pair of fingers thereon, a lug attached to said operating cable and adapted to be inserted between. said fingers when the jaws arein engagement with V 4 operating cable so that when said sleeve is moved downwardly the T-shaped member will pivot and extend said push rods to engage a lamp fixture and move said lamp axially to insert or remove the lamp from the fixture.

2. A device for applying and removing fluorescent lamps mounted in a fixture of the spring loaded type comprising an elongated handle, a fixed jaw mounted crosswise on one end portion of said handle, a movable jaw pivotally connected to said fixed jaw, a lever extending downwardly and rearwardly from said movable jaw, resilient means connected to the free end of said lever, an operating cable attached tosaid resilient means whereby a downward pull on said operating cable will move said movable jaw toward said fixed jaw and engage said lamp, a sleeve slidably mounted on said handle, means for connecting said cable and said sleeve when the jaws are in engagement with the lamp, a generally T-shaped member pivotally mounted centrally of said fixed jaw and having a cross arm substantially perpendicular thereto, a pair ofpush rods connected to said c'ross arm and reversely extending lengthwise of said fixed jaw, means pivotally mounted on' said fixed jaw for guiding said push rods, and means connecting the base of said T-shaped member to the upper end of said operating cable so that when said sleeve is moved downwardly the T-shaped member will pivot and extend said push rods beyond the ends of said jaws to' engage a lamp fixture and move said lamp axially to insert or remove the lamp from the fixture.

3.- The structure of claim 2 including spring means for maintaining sa'id j aws normally open.

4. The structure of claim 2 having means for returning said T-shaped' member to its initial position.

5. A device for applying and removing fluorescent lamps mounted ina fixture of the spring loaded type comprising a handle, fixed and movable jaws mounted crosswise on one end of said handle, a generally T-shapedmember pivotally mounted centrally ofsaid fixed jaw with across arm substantially perpendicular thereto,- push rods connected to each end of said cross arm and extending lengthwise of said fixedjaw, guide means mounted on said; fixed jaw and adaptedto receive said push rods, and means accessible from ar'emote position along said handle for moving said movable jaw toward said fixed jaw and subsequently for operating said T-shaped membet to extend said push rods and move said lamp axially to insert or remove the'lamp from said fixture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,191 Arthur Apr. 30, 1901 1,831,477 Birong et al Nov. 10,1931 2,393,880 Beard Y Jan. 29, 1946 2,427,842 Diver Sept. 23, 1947 2,658,786 Ziese Nov. 10, 1953 2,855,238 Ford Oct. 7, 1958 

